Minding The (Accessibility) Gap

with Kevin Huber

A little about me!

they/them
Product Engineering Manager at thredUP
East Nashville
Clothing, event planning, being nerdy

We'll be...

Forming common nomenclature
Addressing misconceptions
Discussing the Curb Cut Effect
Expanding accessibility

Before

We

Begin...

Guidelines for a good conversation

Ask for clarification if you are unsure (none of us is as smart as all of us)
Mute your mic between talking
Feel empowered to use the chat
Cameras on (if possible) - it helps audio accessibility

Visit a11y.kevinahuber.com for notes and slides

What are your experiences?

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Disability

A mismatch between a person and their environment

Accessibility

Correcting this mismatch

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A few disability categories

Visual
Auditory
Mobility
Cognitive
Vestibular
Connectivity

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👎 Misconception #1

Disabilities can always be seen and are permanent

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👎 Misconception #2

Disabilities are the same in all environments

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👎 Misconception #3

Accessibility standards are conflicting and changing

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👎 Misconception #4

Accessibility is optional

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Title III - Public Accommodations and Positive Rights

The Curb Cut Effect

When designing for accessibility benefits a larger community

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Curb Cut Effect Examples

Closed Captions
Artificial Nose in VR
Large click targets

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What are examples of the Curb Cut Effect-

When designing for accessibility benefits a larger community?

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Closed captions
Artificial nose
Explicit labeling
Alt text
Keyboard controls
Clear branding
Color contrast
Text upshots
Performance Optimizations
Readability
Transcripts for audio/video
Large text/zooming
Ergonomic devices

Clear UX
Accurate photo captions
Simple navigation
Responsive design
Click target size
Steady cam hardware
Text only versions
Print compatibility
Offline browsing
Hover state fallbacks
Dark mode
Audio interfaces

Curb Cut Effect Examples

Let's get to business

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Discuss

How do you experience accessibility in your life?
What disabilities are frequently under addressed in accessibility efforts?
What is one thing you will do to make something in your life more accessible?

~ 10 minutes

Closing Thoughts

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The curb cut effect and related inclusive design thinking are tools that can change how one views the world, and make oneself more resilient and adaptable.

This can be extended to your home, your work, your craft, your relationships– everything.

Thank you!

kevinahuber@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/kevinahuber